Salvation and consecration

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, andthat not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, (NKJV)

Salvation is an act of faith. By faith we can come into a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ John put it this way

John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrathof God abides on him." (NKJV)

The simplicity of salvation cannot be overemphasised. Listen to Pauland Silas.

Acts 16:31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,and you will be saved, you and your household." (NKJV)

Philip the evangelist in his dealings with the Ethiopian also made plain the path to salvation and so did Jesus to Nicodemus

Acts 8:35-37 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they cameto some water. And the eunuch said, "See, [here is] water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered andsaid, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." (NKJV)

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)

So here we have five witnesses, Paul, John, Silas, Philip and Jesus, all testifying to the path of salvation. So what is consecration and what role does it play?

Consecration

Every generation faces their own difficulties. The foundation of all these difficulties is always the same - sin. Whether it is idol worship,religion or lust, you only have to take a causal glance at any country of age group and you will quickly notice the weapon used by the enemyto ensnare them.

And yes, I am talking to believers here. Those that have already embracedthe way of the Lord by believing on his name.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. (NKJV)

Consecration is a conscious decision we should all take to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to the Lord - A life devoid of the sinsthat satan uses to ensnare those in his kingdom. It is a decision we take in order to walk in holiness.

It is a bit like taking a marriage vow - a decision that has a life long effect on your life. occasionally it might even need renewing.In fact, in the Bible times, and still in certain parts of the body of Christ today, consecration is nothing new. It is preached as part of the gospel.

When Paul pleaded with the Christians to take the decision to present themselves to the Lord he was seeking to touch their hearts and minds.There is no victory in asking God to deliver you from sin if you have not set your heart and mind to do the same.

The mercies of God

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. (NKJV)

The motivation to 'present' yourself as a living sacrifice is the mercy of God. The appreciation of what God has delivered us from is the only force strong enough to give us the motivation to lay hold of His grace tolive above sin.

Mediating on the mercies of God is essential to godly living.

Have you consecrated your life to the Lord recently? Or are you living carelessly, contributing to the powerlessness of the church.

Mediate on the following

Ephesians 4:20-27 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the newman which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.25 Therefore, putting away lying, ["Let] each one [of you] speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. (NKJV)